Hay and Propane for Black Mesa

Black Mesa is an area of ancestral Diné territory within so-called Arizona where families have been resisting forced relocation for over forty years. The elders here have steadfastly refused to cede their land to Peabody Coal and wish only to continue their traditional life and allow the land to heal. The sheep, horses and cattle these families maintain on the so-called Hopi Partitioned Lands (HPL) are their primary means of subsistence and an integral part of their traditional lifeway. Impoundments of livestock are a deliberate violation of the rights of Diné people to practice their traditional culture, continuing a shameful legacy of U.S. government-mandated livestock reductions, as seen during the 1860s and the 1930s.



In recent years, hundreds of sheep, cattle and other livestock have been hauled away in impoundment operations by heavily armed police. Elders in the HPL are presently being threatened with impoundments, resulting in great stress, anxiety and hardship. The community is organizing to prevent future impoundments and is asking for additional support at this time.



The surviving elders, those who originally stood in solidarity with past traditional resisters, are now in their late 80s and mid-90s. The decades of trauma, each day not knowing about their tomorrows, occasional BIA Indian Police threats, anxiety about the fate of culture and religious ways, and their children now live in urban settings.


In preparation for winter, we are fundraising for hay and propane. Hay is now $15 a bale at the Kayenta Flea Market and many elders use propane to cook and warm themselves in the winter, as they are harassed for gathering wood to warm themselves and cook with. We are going to work on getting them a solar off grid kit complete with battery as well, please see most recent update for details!

Please see their site for more details https://supportblackmesa.org/